IL-17 Inhibitors Not Linked to MACE: Analysis
Key Takeaways
A large French case–time–control study found no significant association between IL-17(R)A inhibitor use and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
Comparisons with TNF-α inhibitor initiators showed a similar cardiovascular safety profile over a 6-month risk period.
Results from a large French case–time–control study revealed no association between the administration of interleukin (IL)-17 receptor A inhibitors and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
Researchers used data from more than 34,000 individuals from the French National Health Insurance database who began IL-17(R)A inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab, or brodalumab) for approved indications (psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis). The comparator group included patients starting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–α inhibitors (adalimumab or etanercept) for the same indications. Patients were stratified by cardiovascular risk and assessed for MACE occurrence during a predefined 6-month risk period before the event compared with a preceding 6-month reference period.
Among IL-17(R)A users, In the IL-17(R)A group, researchers analyzed 381 MACE cases (176 acute coronary syndromes and 84 ischemic strokes). According to the data, the initiation of IL-17(R)A inhibitors was not associated with a a significant increase in MACE risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.25; 95% CI, 0.75 to 2.08). TNF-α inhibitors also did not show a significant association with MACE (OR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.24). When directly compared, IL-17(R)A inhibitors did not significantly increase MACE risk relative to TNF-α inhibitors (OR = 1.40; 95% CI, 0.77 to 2.54) when directly compared, and there was no significant difference across cardiovascular risk categories (P for homogeneity = 0.29). Sensitivity analyses did not materially alter the study findings.
“In this case–time–control study based on a national insurance database, there was no evidence of a significant association between MACEs and the initiation of IL-17(R)A inhibitors, regardless of the individual cardiovascular risk of the patient,” the authors concluded. “However, a modest risk increase cannot be entirely excluded.”
Source: Rabie M, et al. JAMA Dermatology. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.2972